There isn’t any actionable advice in today’s email- it is mostly a message to let you know that you aren’t alone in this seemingly futile endeavor.
The most frustrating part of grant writing is balancing the truth with what we know the grant funders want to hear.
For example, last week, I struggled to complete a renewal grant application and got stuck on this question, “What will you do differently this fiscal year to improve your impact?”
Last month, I submitted a grant report that indicated that we met our outcome objectives 90% of the time. Are we supposed to improve from that?
If I were to answer that question honestly, I would have written, “We will not do anything differently because what we are doing is working as well as we can expect.”
But that response won’t foster confidence or inspire them to increase funding for the upcoming grant cycle, so instead, I wordsmith an answer, giving them the kinds of things they want to hear: We will improve outreach and partnerships to reach more people, we will consider feedback to enhance the quality of programming, blah, blah.
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Another question asked, “How is your program innovative in its approach?”
It can be frustrating that grant funders want to see sexy, groundbreaking programming. Many of the programs we write grants for aren’t fancy—they are simply necessary continuations of proven methods that meet the needs of the people we serve.
And finally, “How will the funds (if granted) be spent?” This is a loaded question because most funders are specific about what expenses they will fund. If grant writers could be honest, we would say something like, “We need money to pay the salaries of our Executive Director and Program Director. They work 60+ hours per week on the front line and shouldn’t have to worry about paying their rent.”
But we know that wouldn’t work, so we are careful only to incorporate the expenses specified by the funder, whether they are the most pressing need or not.
It isn’t all doom and gloom. I do have hope for nonprofit funders.
I have been awarded grants from a community foundation that has taken a novel and more collaborative approach to funding.
They state, “Given no single entity can solve a big social problem alone, we use our community leadership role to resource, engage, and coordinate regional coalitions of cross-sector partners aligned around shared goals to change regional outcomes.”
They have committed to responsibly using their leadership role to connect and unite. Of course, they also fund, but they will grant seed money, salaries, money for equipment, etc. They rely on the nonprofits to decide what their priorities are. They don’t require us to “align with their funding priorities.” It is a refreshing approach that I hope will catch on with grant funders.
Until next time,
Write Epic Grants